Government to Regulate Tin Ore Trade
Wednesday, 03 January, 2007 | 14:12 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government will issue a policy that regulates inter-island trade in tin ore products this year.

The regulation will state that tin ore trade may only be carried out in three regions: Bangka, Belitung and Riau Islands.

“The regulation is almost final. It is assured that this year it will be issued,” Director of Market Management and Distribution of the Department of Trade Gunaryo told Tempo yesterday (01/02) in Jakarta.

So far, the inter-island trade system that the government has regulated is only limited to rice, sugar, subsidized fertilizer and liquor.

However, the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has asked that the Department of Trade regulate tin ore products.

Earlier, Director General of Domestic Trade Ardiansyah S. Parman stated that inter-island trade had often been used for exporting although this has already been prohibited.

“Tin ore trade is not only conducted between islands, but also between countries that own smelters,” he said.

In addition to controlling the commodities, the inter-island tin ore trade limitation is also being implemented for environmental reasons.

RR ARIYANI